The author has written a thorough book covering the basics of exercise physiology. Anybody who reads this book will have enough information to begin a walking program from beginning to advanced.

It would not be appropriate for me to try to walk 10,000 steps a day at this point in my life. I'm 67, have bad knees and arthritis. I had knee surgery a couple of years ago and that did get me off the walker and cane, but I'm still not normal for a woman of my age.

The book is great because it doesn't take it for granted that you are 35 and just a bit under-active. There is information in there even for people like me. And even a surprise because it turned out that I had already progressed into the moderate activity range, if only just barely.

The book explains how to find your own baseline. Where you are now. It explains how to set up a reasonable goal for increasing activity. And how to do that even if you are never going to run a marathon.

I bought a pedometer and wanted to add 10,000 steps a day to amp up my exercise routine. It suggests you wear the pedometer for 2 weeks to get a baseline steps per day. I bought the book and was ready to get started and I was not interested in waiting for 2 more weeks. There was nothing new to learn from this book except how many step a minute you can count for other exercises. I teach 8 water aerobic classes a week and wanted to now how to count that. My summary of the book is "skip the book, buy a better pedometer and start walking 10,000 or more steps a day:.

The information in the book is easy to follow and I have already started losing weight on a 10,000 steps program. However I am using a different, inexpensive pedometer because I found the pedometer included with the book counted every jiggle of my leg as a step - over counting steps by the thousands. Book is recommended, pedometer is not.

This book not only provides insight on "How to Get to YOUR Optimal Weight", it also provides so many helpful things to gain better health. I am grateful for this book because it is helping "me" to gain perspective on becoming a better, much leaner, and healthier person. The contents have inspired, motivated, and encouraged me to continue on my Healthy Journey!!!